Former President Donald Trump has linked the tragic midair collision between an Army helicopter and a passenger jet near Washington, D.C., to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
This unfortunate incident is the deadliest aviation mishap in the U.S. in almost 25 years and is currently being investigated.
Trump’s Allegations
At a press briefing at the White House, Trump claimed, without presenting any evidence, that mistakes by air traffic controllers, the helicopter pilot, and various Democratic policies played a role in the disaster.
The collision happened on Wednesday evening at Ronald Reagan National Airport, involving an American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk helicopter.
Trump mentioned that the helicopter pilot executed an improper turn before the event, although he offered no supporting details for this assertion.
He expressed confidence in the helicopter’s ability to maneuver swiftly, implying that it could have avoided the crash if it had reacted in time.
Details of the Incident
Even as the investigation continues and no wrongdoing has yet been established by the FAA or the helicopter crew, Trump continued to voice his allegations.
This tragic accident claimed the lives of several individuals, including a group of more than a dozen figure skaters, and reports indicate there were no survivors.
At the time of the crash, the passenger aircraft was carrying 60 passengers plus a crew of four, while the Black Hawk had three Army personnel on board participating in a training mission.
During the briefing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth identified the three soldiers involved, stating that the accident involved a United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Bravo Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
This helicopter collided with an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet as it was preparing to land.
Hegseth affirmed that a thorough investigation will be led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), with assistance from the FAA and Army personnel, and he promised further updates as new information comes to light.
Response and Recovery Efforts
In light of the incident, the 12th Aviation Battalion announced a temporary halt to operations.
Recovery efforts have been underway in the icy waters of the Potomac River, where at least 28 bodies have been retrieved.
Officials reported that the weather conditions were clear during the crash, as the jet was arriving from Wichita, Kansas.
Furthermore, Trump alluded to possible reforms in federal aviation agencies, suggesting that personnel changes could occur if investigations show any officials lacking the necessary mental competency.
Hegseth echoed Trump’s sentiments regarding DEI policies, indicating that such initiatives are becoming unpopular within the Defense Department.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer rebuked Trump’s comments, highlighting the contrast between unverified conjecture from social media influencers and statements from a former president.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard has been engaged in recovery operations in the frigid waters of the Potomac River, with extensive resources dedicated to search and rescue efforts.
This incident is recognized as the most deadly occurrence in U.S. aviation history since the American Airlines flight crash on November 12, 2001, which resulted in the deaths of all 260 individuals on board.
Source: Militarytimes